| Information Included | Recommend Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Business hours only | Small: 10″ — 12″ | Plenty of room for large, easy-to-read text. Ideal for offices and/or small doors |
| Hours + Closed Days | Small: 10″ — 14″ | Additional lines still fit comfortably. |
| Hours + Phone Number | Medium: 12″ — 16″ | Allows the phone number to remain prominent. |
| Hours + Phone + Website | Medium: 12″ — 16″ | Prevents the website from becoming too small. |
| Hours + Logo + Contact Info | Large: 18″ — 24″ | Gives the logo breathing room while keeping text legible. |
| Hours + Logo + Social Media + QR Code + Payment Icons + Other information | Large ~ Extra Large: 20″ + | Avoids a cluttered appearance and preserves readability. Make sure you have the space. |
There are three main factors to consider when choosing a size for your open hour decal: the size of your application surface, the desired visibility, and the amount of information you wish to display.
Size of your application surface
The first factor you need to consider is the amount of space you have to display your open hour decal. You may already have other lettering or signage on your door, limiting the space you have for the open hours. Your door also might have window panes that divide your door into smaller rectangles. In these cases, your space is limited, so
you’ll have a choose a size that is slightly smaller than the space you have available.
Desired visibility
Open hour decals are not merely just for displaying your hours. It is often the first impression your customers will get of your store or business. A well-designed vinyl lettering decal gives your storefront a polished, established appearance. Professionally displayed hours signal that your business is organized and pays attention to detail.
The larger and more legible your open hour decal information is, the more visible it is going to be for your customers. You want to clearly communicate not only your open hours, but also your website address, your phone number, and/or your social media presence.
At The Retractable Banner Shop, we normally recommend a 16″ to 18″ decal, if displaying only the hours. If your company logo is added, we recommend a slightly larger 20″ to 22″ decal.
Amount of information on the decal
The amount of information on an open hour decal directly affects how large the decal needs to be to remain readable. A decal that’s too small forces the text to shrink, making it difficult for customers to read from a comfortable distance. Additionally, a decal that is too small will be more difficult to install, because the letters, numbers, and punctuation will not have a great deal of adhesive surface area. You may also risk the vinyl lettering falling off more easily when going to clean your door.
The goal isn’t simply to fit everything on the glass—it’s to ensure customers can read the most important information at a glance. A slightly larger decal with clear, well-spaced text will almost always create a better first impression than a smaller decal packed with information.
These two examples show the same open hours schedule. However, the example on the left has a lot more information that is relevant to the business, thereby needing a much larger decal.
The worst sign in the world is a sign that is hard to read. Make sure you purchase a sign large enough to space things out legibly without being cluttered.